Kiss My Hocks Takes Sam Houston Futurity

Tempting Dash colts remains perfect in his stakes debut.

Press ReleaseApril 20, 2014

The finals of the richest race of the American Quarter Horse meeting at Sam Houston Race Park, the $563,950 Sam Houston Futurity (G2), took place Saturday night, and it’s safe to say that another star has emerged.

Kiss My Hocks drew considerable attention when he ran in the trials on March 29. Not only did the son of Tempting Dash win his 330-yard trial in a time of :16.433, he broke the track record of :16:514 seconds set on July 5, 2002, by Pies Power Play.

Trainer Toby Keeton had all the faith in the world in his colt, reporting that he came out of the trials in peak condition and would run an equally good race in the final.

“Never fear when Toby is near,” quipped the popular conditioner.

However, Keeton was not near this evening. He was at Remington Park overseeing the Oklahoma contingent, including Jody Pops Zoomer in the Bob Moore Memorial Stakes (G2). His capable wife, Cindi, saddled Kiss My Hocks, and Keeton was right; there was nothing to fear.

The sorrel colt broke from the rail under rider Luis Vivanco and benefitted when Jettin Cosmos and Sixes Down bore out, leaving a clear path on the inside of the track. Vivanco kept his charge to task, crossing the wire in :16.719, earning a speed index of 99.

It was a proud moment for owners Conda Maze and Tyler Graham. The son of champion Tempting Dash out of the Tres Seis mare Romancing Mary was bred by Graham with John Mayers. Kiss My Hocks became the first stakes winner sired by Tempting Dash.

“I’ve always told everybody that this horse has not disappointed me a day since I raised him,” said Graham. “We have a good team and he knows he’s a superstar.”

"We thank Toby, Cindi and all the boys on the backside," added Maze. "He’s a special athlete; I come out every morning and love this horse.”

This was the first Sam Houston Futurity for Keeton, who will celebrate his 50th birthday on June 6.

“I was never worried about the draw,” said Keeton via telephone from Remington Park. “The good horses can carry their speed from anywhere.”

Glimpse Of Dash races for owner Jaime Flores and trainer Roberto Ramirez. Saul Ramirez Jr. rode the Glimpse Of Greatness gelding out of the Moon Shine Dash mare Double Dash Queen. He earned $90,232 for the effort. Mauro Valdez is the breeder.

Kiss My Hocks returned $5.80 for the win and picked up a winner’s check in the amount of $225,580. Maze said Kiss My Hocks will make his next start at Ruidoso Downs.

Lethal Perry Much the Best in the $50,000 Sam Houston JuvenileThe $50,000 Sam Houston Juvenile Stakes (R) kicked off the stakes action on Saturday evening. The stakes featured horses that competed in trials for the Sam Houston Futurity on March 29 but missed the cut-off time of :16.753.

Lethal Perry, owned by JJ Cool L LLC and trained by Trey Wood, ran fourth to fastest qualifier Kiss My Hocks in the trials and was clocked at :16.433. The daughter of Mr Jess Perry showed her talent this evening, closed gamely under jockey Esgar Ramirez. Her winning time this evening was :16.896.

Blane Wood saddled the filly for his son, Trey. She earned a speed index of 94 and paid $5.60 as the favorite in the six-horse field. P.K. Thomas bred Lethal Perry in Oklahoma from the Chicks Beduino mare Miss Lethal.

"She had the first race jitters in her trial," said Wood. "But Esgar figured it out. She didn’t break that well but got going in the end."